Taras Natyshak MPP, Essex

Natyshak introduces bill to Expand PTSD coverage through WSIB for first responders

Published on September 14, 2017

QUEEN’S PARK – Essex MPP Taras Natyshak has introduced a Private Member’s Bill to include first responders who were left out of Bill 163, which provides presumptive PTSD coverage for WSIB benefits to first responders and workers who face violence and trauma at work. Natyshak’s bill will be debated Thursday in the legislature.

“This is an opportunity to correct Bill 163, and include employees in these sectors who weren’t included initially,” said Natyshak. “In spite of the efforts of the NDP in committee to table amendments to include nurses, probation and parole officers, and extended police service employees, the Liberals on the committee voted those amendments down.

“These workers have to deal first-hand with the very worst impacts of violence and trauma. They endure violent traumas, and are exposed to the cumulative effect of years of being exposed to primary and secondary trauma. They shouldn’t have to continue to relive these traumatic events as they are forced to prove their PTSD is work related through a long, cumbersome and expensive WSIB appeals process.

“These are workers that spend their working lives taking care of us. It is long overdue that we start to take care of them in return,” said Natyshak.